§ MR. DAWSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the statement contained in a circular of the 12th May 1881 from Mr. Samuel Charles Umfreville, of Greenhithe, to the following effect:—That some years ago, in consequence of his having obtained a true bill from the grand jury against the proprietors of cement works, the people of the works assembled with bands and having banners representing himself and his solicitor in the agonies of death. That the result of these demonstrations was that his wife was killed by the blow of a stone received at her own gate. That the perpetrator was never discovered. That persons who had signed affidavits in favour of the claims of a poor widow to compensation, were visited by crowds and intimidated and prevented from giving evidence; if he can inform the House 1060 if the banners referred to were seized and destroyed by the police; and what steps, if any, were taken to apprehend persons reasonably suspected of intimidating and inciting to violence and murder; and, whether the perpetrators have been since brought to justice?
SIR WILLIAM FIARCOURT,in reply, said, he believed the events referred to were stated to have happened about six years ago. It was not easy to obtain information about circumstances which took place so long back; but, as far as he had been able to ascertain, the facts stated in the first part of the Question were without foundation. No banners, therefore, were seized or destroyed, nor had there been apprehensions of persons reasonably suspected.